Building wall structure



I March 16,1937.

J. C. GARVEY ET AL BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May17, 1933 FIGURE 25 INVENTORS. JOHN C. GARVEY ,ADOLIPH AJQCEB LINATTORNEY.

March 16, 1937. J. c. GARVEY ET AL 2,073,788

BUILDI'NG WALL STRUCTURE Filed May 17, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.E Y

ATTORNEY.

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JOHN c GARV ADOLPH A. KEEBLIN FIGURE 5 Marh 16, 1937.

J. C. GARVEY ET AL BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed May17, 1933 F IGURE [6.

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ATTORNEY.

March-16, 1937. J. c. GARVEY ET AL BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE Filed May 17,1953 4 Sheets-Shet 4 OR S. Y N

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UNETED STATES BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE John C. Garvey and Adolph A.Kreblin, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application May 17, 1933, Serial No. 671,460

1 Claims.

This invention relates to weatherproof building wall structures and tobuilding elements of improved form for producing the same.

Walls of ordinary brick construction, exposed to the Weather, are liableto substantial injury and disfigurement by the entry and penetration ofrain and moisture into and through the horizontal and vertical jointsbetween bricks, particuql larly in the case of tall buildings, whosewalls are exposed to unusually high wind pressures and severe drivingrains. The interior surface of the wall is thusnot only disfigured, butthe mortar or other binder between the bricks, attacked by thismoisture, loosens and falls away, thereby seriously impairing thestrength and durability of the wall. This condition is aggravated bycracks developed in the joints as the result of shrinkage of materials,settling of the building, expansion and contraction due to temperaturechanges, and other natural causes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a strong, durable,weatherproof wall structure which will afford unusually high andeffective resistance to penetration by wind, rain, or the like.

This we accomplish by a system of building elements or blocks of noveland improved form which may be laid rapidly and accurately by ordinarymethods and which combine in an improved manner to provide effectivebarriers against penetration through either the horizontal or verticaljoints therebetween.

Other more specific objects and advantages will appear, expressed orimplied, from the following description of several wall structuresconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure l is an isometric view of a wall section composed of buildingelements embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an isometric View of another section of the same wall.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of another wall section, having awindow opening therein,

F and composed of elements shaped like those employed in Figs. land 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a double-thickness wall section composed ofhollow building block embodying the present invention.

50 Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View of the upper portion of the wallshown in Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 and '7 are views similar to Figs. 4 and 5, respectively, showinga single thickness Wall section.

55 Figs. 8 to 16, both inclusive, are isometric views of individualbuilding blocks, of which the Walls hereinabove mentioned are composed.

Fig. 17 is an isometric view of a partially completed circular wallstructure constructed of longitudinally curved elements embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2181s an isometric view of one of the elements employed in the wallof Fig. 1'7.

Fig. 19 is an isometric view of a modified form t of elementsconstructed in accordance with the '10 present invention and employed inthe wall structure shown in Figs. 20, 21, and 22.

Fig. 20 is a vertical section, Fig. 21 a plan, and Fig. 22 an isometricview of a partially completed hollow wall structure. 15

Fig. 23 is a top plan, and Fig. 24 a vertical section, of interlockingelements of modified form embodying the present invention.

Each of the wall sections shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a front orouter portion composed of elements in the form of bricks, laid in mortaror like cementitious material in a conventional manner, but speciallyshaped to interlock and to provide effective weather repellent barriersin both horizontal and vertical joints between the bricks, together witha rear or inner wall portion, composed of larger elements in the form ofhollow building blocks of similar interlocking formation, also laid andcemented to-' gether in the usual manner.

In this instance, the front portion of each wall is made up largely ofside bricks A, laid horizontally in superposed courses, joined by layersI0 and H of mortar or the like, and arranged so that the vertical joints1 l of successive courses 35 are staggered or broken, all in accordancewith good brick laying practice.

An individual side brick A is shown in detail in Fig. 13. Each isprovided on its top face with an elevated portion in the form of alongitudinal 4o rib I2, preferably centrally arranged, which merges atone end in a like vertical rib l3 provided at one end of the brick. Eachof these bricks is also provided at its other end with a vertical recessor groove 14 to accommodate the vertical end rib of an adjacent brick,and, at its bottom, with a longitudinal groove IE to accommodate thealigned top ribs of the bricks in the next lower course. Each of thegrooves I4 and 15 are of a width somewhat greater than that of itsmating rib to accommodate and there'- by preserve the continuity of thelayer of mortar between adjacent bricks.

The arrangement is such that, when laid in the manner described, the toplongitudinal ribs I2 of aligned bricks in each course provide asubstantially continuous shoulder which serves as an effective weatherrepellent barrier within each horizontal joint I0, and. each end rib I2provides a'similar barrier within each vertical joint I I.

It will be noted that, when laying the bricks, the mortar or othercementitious material therebetween is compressed between the confiningwalls of the grooves I4 and I5 and the coacting ribs I3 and I2 so as tocompact the same and thereby increase its resistance to penetration bywater, moisture, or the like, and to render its interlock within thejoint more secure. It will be further noted that this interlockingrelation between bricks substantially eliminates a tendency of thebricks to swim, an undesirable tendency so commonly experienced in thelaying of ordinary brick, particularly when wet.

Special forms of corner bricks D and E are also preferably employed inproducing the wall sections shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These bricks aredesigned to be laid at right angles with their superposed endsoverlapping in the usual manner, and so that each connects thecorresponding side brick courses at opposite sides of .the corner. Eachis provided on its top with a rib bent at right angles to form alongitudinal portion I 6, disposed to register with the longitudinal ribI2 of an adjacent side brick A of one course, and a transverse portionl1, disposed to register with the longitudinal rib I2 of the adjacentside brick A of the connected coiuse, so as to continue and complete theweather repellent barrier formed by the ribs I2 of each course.

Each of the corner bricks D and E is also provided in its bottom facewith a similarly bent groove I8, which parallels the top rib portionsI6-I1, and which is of a width to accommodate the top ribs I2, I6 and I!of the bricks in the underlying courses and the layer of mortartherebetween. In the brick D the longitudinal portion I6 of the top ribterminates in a vertical end groove I9 disposed to accommodate the endI3 of an adjacent side brick, and the transverse portion I1 merges intoa vertical rib 20 on one side face of the brick positioned to registerwith an end groove I4 of an adjacent side brick. In the brick E theparts are reversed, the longitudinal portion I 6 of the top rib mergingin a vertical end rib 20 and the transverse portion I1 terminating in avertical groove I9 formed in the side face of the brick.

Although the side bricks A are normally laid horizontally, they may belaid on end to form a soldier course, such as illustrated in the lowerpart of the wall section of Fig. 1, and when so laid, the aligned endribs I3 form a barrier for the horizontal joint, the longitudinal ribsl2 constitute barriers for the vertical joints, and the end grooves I4accommodate the horizontal barrier ribs in the next lower course.

Other special forms of bricks may be conveniently employed, such as thebricks C, which form the rowlock course, shown immediately above thesoldier course in the wall section of Fig. 1. These bricks aresubstantially identical with the bricks A, except they are only half aslong. They may be laid on. end, as indicated in Fig. 1, or laidhorizontally, as in Figs. 21 and 22, where they are convenientlyemployed to fill out a side brick course.

Another special brick A" is shown in Fig. 8. This brick is identicalwith the bricks A, except that it is formed at longitudinal intervalswith interstices of crevices 2| arranged parallel to the end faces ofthe brick and defining planes of cleavage which facilitate breaking ofthe brick into short lengths, as desired, and maintaining the desiredend contour thereof. Such short lengths may be conveniently employed tofill out courses.

Another special brick B, shown in detail in Fig. 16, is designed for useas a bonding or header brick. Many of such bricks are employed in theWalls of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. They are ordinarily laid in horizontalcourses, at desired intervals, and serve to securely tie together thefront and rear portions of the wall. Each is provided on its top with atransverse rib 22 disposed to register with the bottom groove I5 of abrick A in the next upper course, and on its bottom with a transversegroove 23 disposed to register with a top rib I2 of a brick in the nextlower course. As in each of the bricks A, the top rib 22 of each brickl3 merges at one end in a vertical rib 24 and the bottom groove 23merges at one end in a vertical groove 25.

Another special brick, shown in Fig. 12, is designed for use as an endbrick in a double-thickness parapet wall or the like. It is providedwith a substantially U-shaped top rib 26, one leg of which terminates ina vertical groove 2'! and the other of which merges into a vertical rib23. The rib 28 and groove 2'! are formed on one side of the brick, therib 28 being disposed to register with an end groove I4 of one sidebrick and the groove 27 with an end rib 13 of another parallel sidebrick. A U-shaped groove 29, paralleling the rib 26, is formed in thebottom of this brick to accommodate the rib 25 of the next lower brick.

The barrier producing rib formations, thus consistently carried outthroughout the system of bricks hereinabove described, also provides asecure anchorage for the individual bricks, thus interlocked, and alsoprovides a secure anchorage for other building units which go to make upan entire structure. Note, for example, the interlocking relationbetween the upper bricks A and the coping 30, shown in Fig. 3, andbetween the bricks A and the sill 35. This rib and groove formation isalso utilized to advantage in securely anchoring the roof flashing shownat J.

Although the rear or inner wall portion may be variously constructed,the inner portion of each of the wall sections shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3is I composed of building blocks of cement or like material of a sizelarger than the front bricks but provided with a rib and grooveformation quite similar to that of the bricks.

All of the building blocks shown are of hollow construction, each beingprovided with central vertical openings 32 which are vertically taperedin accordance with usual practice. They are laid horizontally inhorizontal courses, with vertical joints broken, and bound together bymortar or other cementitious material.

Each of the side blocks A is provided on its top with a centrallongitudinal rib I2, and on its bottom with a central longitudinalgroove L5 to accommodate the aligned ribs I2 of the blocks in the nextlower course, the groove I5 being wider than the rib to also accommodatethe layer of mortar or other binding material therebetween. The rib I2merges at one end in a vertical end rib I3 and the bottom groove I5merges with a vertical end groove I4. Each end rib I3 has a verticalchannel 32' formed in the face thereof and disposed to register with acorresponding groove 32 in the end groove I 4 of an adjacent block. Eachtop rib I2 is preferably somewhat wider than the openings 32 so that theside faces thereof provide unbroken shoulders which combine with theside walls of the bottom groove l5 in the next upper block to confineand compact the mortar therebetween.

Some of the blocks Ab may be formed with a longitudinal recess in theupper portion thereof to receivethe bonding brick B, as indicated inFigs. 1 and 3.

The corner blocks D and E, shown in detail in Figs. 11 and 9, are alsoribbed and grooved in a manner similar to the bricks D and E, eachhaving a bent top rib having longitudinal and transverse portions 16 andI1, each of which merges into a vertical rib 20 or groove I9, and alsohaving a bottom groove l8 paralleling the top rib.

The blocks A, D, and E may be employed to advantage in building anexceptionally strong and durable, double-thickness wall, such as shownin Figs. 4 and 5, or single thickness wall, such as shown in Figs. 6 and'7.

In the single thickness wall, the top ribs of the blocks in each courseprovide a substantially continous weather repellent barrier andinterlock with the bottom grooves of the next upper course to securelyretain the intervening mortar in place and to thus securely tie theblocks together. A similar weather repellent barrier and interlockingrelation is also provided in the vertical joints by the interlockingrelation between the end ribs 20 with the end grooves 19 of successiveblocks.

In the double thickness wall of Figs. 4 and 5, each alternate coursecomprises a double course of blocks A laid right side up, and eachintermediate course comprises a central course of inverted blocks A andoutside courses of half blocks formed by splitting blocks Alongitudinally. By this arrangement the inverted blocks in each centralintermediate course interlock with and tie together the double row ofblocks in the adjacent alternate courses, the longitudinal grooves I8 inthe tops of the inverted blocks having received the adjacentlongitudinal bottom shoulders L of the double row of blocks in the nextupper course. Also the upper longitudinal shoulders K of the half-blocksinterlock with the bottom grooves in the double row of blocks in thenext upper course. An exceptionally secure weatherproof joint is thusprovided between successive courses. Vertical joints of likeconstruction are also obtained as a result of the interlocking relationbetween the rib and groove formations at the abutting ends of adjacentblocks.

The circular wall, shown in Fig. 17, is composed of blocks F, shown indetail in Fig. 18, which are substantially the same as blocks A exceptthat they are longitudinally curved. These blocks are laid in horizontalcourses preferably with broken vertical joints, and each is providedwith top and end ribs 12 and I3, and with bottom and. end grooves l5 andM, which coact and interengage in the same manner as the ribs andgrooves of blocks A to form secure weatherproof joints. A similarcircular wall construction may also be built of longitudinally curvedbricks having rib and groove formations like the bricks A.

The wall section shown in Figs. 20, 21 and 22 comprises spaced front andrear wall portions spaced apart to provide an air chamber therebetween.In this instance both portions are formed primarily of side bricks A andcorner bricks D and E in a manner, similar to the front portion of thewall sections shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and

are bound together at intervals by bonding bricks B2 of novel design,

One of the bricks B2 is shown in detail in Fig.

19. It is somewhat similar to the bonding brick B hereinabove describedexcept that it is somewhat longer and is provided at both ends with thecharacteristic rib and groove formation includingthe transverse top ribs22, bottom grooves 23, and vertical edge ribs 24 and grooves 25, adaptedto interlock'with the other ribbed and grooved bricks in the front andrear wall portions.

The bonding bricks B2 may be variously arranged. In the left handportion of the wall section, they are shownstaggered. In the right handportion they are shown arranged in vertically aligned, pairs inalternate courses, the bricks of each pair being horizontally spaced byintermediate half-length bricks C. When thus arranged, a column Q ofcement may be provided projecting through the rectangular spaces thusformed by and between those bricks, to thereby further strengthen andrigidify the wall. This column may contain appropriate reinforcing rodsR.

The use of the rib and groove formations hereinabove described resultsin a wall structure which is truly weatherproof in the sense that it ishighly resistant to penetration by the weather and in the additionalsense that it is unusually durable as against weather attacks.Furthermore the grooves not only provide a secure interlock between theelements or blocks and the interposed mortar but also may beadvantageously utilized to receive appropriate reinforcing steel, suchas shown at R in Figs. 17, 20, 21 and 22, to strengthen structure.

The elements shown in Figs. 23 and 24 are provided with rib and grooveformations similar to those hereinabove described. In this instance,however, the top and end ribs 12 and i3", and bottom and end grooves l5and M", are all undercut to provide a flaring, dovetail, interlockingdesign. Each groove is wider than its mating rib to freely admit the riband the layer of mortar therebetween, but when the mortar has set, itprovides a rigid key which coacts with the undercut surfaces to securelylock the blocks against separation.

Various changes may be made in any of the several embodiments of theinvention hereinabove specifically described without departing from orsacrificing the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A weatherproof building wall structure having inner and outerportions, said outer portion comprising a multiplicity of elements laidend to end in superposed courses with layers of binding materialtherebetween, each of said elements having an intermediate shoulderextending longitudinal of its top face, and another coplanar shoulderextending vertically across an end face thereof, each of said elementsalso having a longitudinal recess in its bottom face to accommodate boththe longitudinal shoulder of the next lower element and the layer ofbinding material therebetween, each of said elements also having avertical recess in its other end face to accommodate both the endshoulder of an adjacent element and the layer of binding materialtherebetween, said several shoulders combining to produce weatherrepellent barriers within the horizontal and vertical joints betweensaid elements, and bonding elements engaged with both of said wallportions to permanently connect the same.

2. A weatherproof building wall structure having inner and outerportions, said outer portion comprising a multiplicity of bricks laidend to end in superposed courses with layers of binding materialtherebetween, each of said bricks having an intermediate shoulderextending longitudinally of its top face, and another coplanar shoulderextending vertically across an end face thereof, each of said bricksalso having a longitudinal recess in its bottom face to accommodate boththe longitudinal shoulder of the next lower brick and the layer ofbinding material therebetween, each of said bricks also having avertical recess in its other end face to accommodate both the endshoulder of an adjacent brick and the layer of binding materialtherebetween, said several shoulders combining to produce weatherrepellent barriers within the horizontal and vertical joints betweensaid bricks, and bonding bricks each having adjacent one endcorrespondingly arranged shoulders and recesses for coaction with thoseof said first named bricks and each being engaged at its opposite endwithin said inner wall portion to secure said wall portions together.

3. A weatherproof building wall structure comprising a multiplicity ofelements laid end to end in superposed courses with layers of bindingmaterial therebetween, each of said elements having on its top asubstantially central uninterrupted longitudinal rib and at one end avertical rib merging with said first named rib, each of said elementsalso having on its bottom a substantially central uninterruptedlongitudinal groove wider than said first named ribs to accommodate boththe rib of the next lower element and the layer of binding materialtherebetween, and each of said elements also having on its other end avertical groove wider than said end rib to accommodate both the end ribof the next adjacent element and the layer of binding materialtherebetween, said several ribs combining to produce continuous weatherrepellent barriers throughout the horizontal and vertical joints betweensaid elements.

4. A weatherproof building wall including a corner structure, said wallcomprising block-like side wall elements laid in superposed side wallcourses and having longitudinal top ribs aligned to form weatherrepellent barriers between courses, said elements also having bottomrecesses to accommodate the top ribs of the elements in the next lowercourse, block-like corner elements connecting corresponding side wallcourses and having their ends superposed in overlapping relation, saidcorner elements having bent top ribs connecting and completing theweather repellent barriers of the corresponding side wall courses, andsaid corner elements also having bottom recesses to accommodate the topribs of the elements therebeneath, said several recesses being widerthan said ribs to also accommodate a layer of binding materialtherebetween.

JOHN C. GARVEY. ADOLPH A. KREBLIN.

